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HISTORY OF WHITEHALL, 

CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS. 

A DISCOURSE 

DELIVERED ON THE UTxii OF JUNE, 1847. 
By Rev. liCwis Kellogg. 

BEI\0 TUK TKNTH ANMVEHSAKV OF HIS MINISTRY IN I'lIK I'LACE. 



WHITEHALL: 

CJ. U. FAIRMAN, PBINTUK, ClIKOMCLE OFFlCii, 
1847. 



>AA/-lf^, 



NOTE. 
Many of the notes of this discourse have been added 
since a copy was requested for pubhcation. I wish to say 
to those into whose hands it may fall that for several of its 
statements I have been obliged to rely on verbal testimo- 
ny, and if any one can furnish authentic corrections or 
additional facts of interest in the history of the place, I 
should be very glad to receive them. Hereafter they 
may be more prized than they are at present. 






DISCOURSE. 



Deuteronomv, xxxii: 7. " Remember the days of old." 

God's ancient people were required to search out, record, and trans- 
wit their own history, not to gratify idle curFnsity or feed national pride, 
but to mark in that history the hand of God, to learn from it His 
character and their duty, and draw incentives to fidelity in His service, 
'is is the true " philosophy of history." With this view historical 
Uv. may be an appropriate pulpit theme. A century ago the forests 
of , ,s region echoed with the hostile cannon of the two most powerful 
IS of Europe. The ledge on the lake shore about a mile north 
ol i s place, well known by the designation of "Put's rock" is a 
mc-r -nto of the carnage of that confiict.* 

o one seeking .for accurate historical information it is annoying to find 

ooseness in giving localities, scenery, and facts, in some of our early 

les. For example Cutter in his biography of Putnam, says lie was sent 

•ith Bay nl the foot of Lake George. Mr. Headley, following doubtless 

historians, says Putnam's position was on Woodcreek near where it falls 

(G lake ; but no such scenery as he describes is to be found on Woodcreek, 

at least for several miles from the lake, to say nothing of the ludicrous idea of 

M)0 men gliding in canoes up the falls at its mouth. Some apofogy for the 

confusion wh'icfi tlie reader of history will find in giving loc<ilities in this 

region, exists in the fact that in early times the head oi" Lake Champlain was 

rather problematical. French historians fixed it at Ticonderoga. Some 

others seem to have placed it at the head of South Bay. 7'ho«gh I believe it 

has long been settled by geographers that the head of the lake is the harbor of 

Whitehall. 

The true history of the affair of Put's rock, as nearly as I can learn from 
comparing authors and from tradition is as follows : In 1758 while Abercrom- 
bie lay at Fort Edward, a short time before his disastrous movement on 
Ticonderoga, he sent forward Putnam, then a Major in the English service, 
to watch the movements of the French. ^V'^ith 35 followers he came on to 
this place and selected as a favorable point for observation an elevated rock 
near the elbow that effectually commands ithe passage of the lake. Here he 
erected a parapet of stone 30 feet in length, and to perfect his concealment 
covered the naked rock between it and the lake with pine bushes so placed as 
to resemble a natural growth. Behind this he lay watching for the movements 
of the enemy. On the evening of the fourth day he learned from his sentinels 
tbat canoes .filled with soldiers were coming round the bend near the outlet of 
S<njth Bay, He immediately drew all his men behind tlie breast work and 



Within the memory of some of our citizens the whole hrow of th<^ 
hill, east of Church street, and south of high street, was enclosed \>y an 
embankment which formed the base of a picket fort, said to have been 
constructed during that war. Within that enclosure was a large block 
house, erected near the close of the last century and furnished with 
port-holcs. Within that edifice some now among us have listened to 
orations on the anniversary of our independence, and occasionally to 
religious service on the Sabbath, conducted by some traveling mission- 
ary. It stood on or near the spot now occupied by the residence of 
J. H. Ijoyd Esq. The result of the contest which Americans usually 
designate " The French War," gave England the quiet possession of 
about five eighths of all North America. After its close this town 
was distributed in lots of 200 acres each as bounty land to the soldiers 
who had served in that war. Philip K. Skeene an English Major 
under half pay, it appears purchased for a trifle a large number of 
these grants and to perfect his title secured a Royal Patent. He 
effected a settlement at the head of navigation on Lake Champlain. — 
This settlement he called Skeenesborough which name it bore till after 
the war of the revolution. He subsequently secured more military 
grants, and obtained a second Patent. One of these covered 20,000 



enjoined the most perfect silence. Soon the foremost canoe was in sight and 
shot quietly along a little past the ambuscade, .lust then one of Putnam's men 
in adjusting his gun struck it slightly against a stone. In the stillness of a 
calm^ evening the sound was heard and instantly the oars of the advanced 
canoes were still. Those behind came up, and soon 600 warriors were lying 
in their frail vessels directly in front of the parapet. The full moon shone on 
flic water and revealed every movement of that startled group, while tliey 
gazed up the bank in vain for any indication of a foe. There was a buzz of 
low Imrried consultation among the leaders, suddenly cut short by a flash of 
lire arms the entire length of the parapet above. The aim of Putnam and 
his party had been fearfully precise. For one moment were heard groans 
and splasliing in the water and all appeared confusion, but in an another each 
tirelock was raised and a volley of 500 balls answered the fatal challenge of 
the 35. The shot of the French however was wasted on the rock and breast 
work and adjoining forest, while every discharge of Putnam's party told 
terribly among their unprotected adversaries. At length Molang the leader of 
the French and Indians dispatched a party down the lake a short distance with 
orders to effect a landing and charge in rear of the parapet. Putnam 
iliscovered the movement and sent 12 of his little band to beat them back : this 
they accomplished and the battle was continued till about daylight. It was 
tlien ascertained that a detachment of the French had effected a landing some 
distance below the place where the first attempt was made, and were moving up, 
and Putnam having nearly exhausted his ammunition hastily retreated to Fort 
Edward. His party had been so well protected that two only were wounded, 
while they had killed or wounded nearly 250 of their foes, an average of G or 
7 to each individual of their own party, 



acrns and the other 9,000.* Skeeiie wu.-! a mapi.strat(> of the noun and 
sometiines received the title ot' (iovonior. lie was th<' owner of scl- 
eral slaves. His residence was a .stone l»uildin«; nearly opposite the 
present dwelling house of Joseph Jillson on Williams street. He 
erected a stone edifice 1:30 feet long on the place now occupied as a 
garden l»y the family of the late Judge Wheeler. It was designed for 
a military garrison, hut I am not aware that it was ever need as such 
unless during the short time Burgoyne's arujy lay here in 1777. Its 
walls, or portions of them, were standing within the rocollection (li 
many of our citizens. f Near the east end was an arched gateway, the 
keystone of which may now be seen in the north basement wall of the 
Baptist Church. It bears his initials P. K. S. and the date ITTO. 

On the 9lh of May 1775->-the day on which Ethan Allen and hi* 
followers left Castleton to surprise and capture Ticonderoga — a small 
party of provincials from Connecticut left the same place to sc 
cure the possession of Skecnesborough. This was the first aggres- 
sive movement of the colonists in the revolutionary war, being nearly 
six weeks before the battle of Bunker's hill. This place was secured 
Avithout oppogition. Skeene M'as absent or concealed and they pillaged 
his house for supplies. | 

I have had an account of this expedition from a son of one of the party, 
and with it the well known story that they found the body of Skeene's 
wife in the cellar, where it was said to have been preserved by him for 
several years, to secure an annuity devised to her " while she remained 
above ground."|| They took the body and buried it in the rear of the 
dwelling. Skeene retired to Canada and ultimately joined the army 
under Burgoyne. The possession of this place was indispensable to the 
command of the Lake — 'an object of great importance to the colonies— 
and Gen. Schuyler was ordered to repair the public works. A garrison 
was stationed here, and in 1776 vessels and bateaux Avere construct' 
cd and a little fleet fitted out in our harbor which was put under the 



* The date of these Patents I have not learned, and are not able to say 
which was first obtained — together they embraced the whole of the present 
town of Whitehall except 4000 acres on its eastern border. 

t A portion of it was appropriated to the storage of Agricultural products, 
and it was called Skeene' s Barn. 

I Some accounts say he was captured. I think this is a mistake. 

II I believe tlie substance of this story to be authentic, and I notice it as an in-' 
cident in the early history of tlte place illustrating huvnan cupidity and fraud. 



6 

command of Arnold.* On tlie night of July 5tli 1777, the Americans 
were driven from Ticondoroga. They placed their stores and baggage 
in bateaux and sent them under a small convoy to this place. The em- 
barkation was discovered by the light of a building recklessly fired by 
the retreating troops, and the British dispatched two Frigates and sev- 
eral gun boats in pursuit. Gen. Mattoon, late of Amherst Mass., was 
a subaltern in the convoy and from him I have had a minute account of 
the adventure. Before they reached the landing their pursuers were in 
sight and they hastily left their boats and dispersed. He thought the 
number of houses here at that time did not exceed four. One of these, 
whose inmates appeared to be French, he entered and called for re- 
freshnients, but before he could partake them a cannon ball from one of 
the pursuiiig frigates entered the house, crushed the table and scattered 
the refreshments over the room. To one or two of the bateaux match- 
es were applied by the Americans as they retired, and they were blown 
up. The remainder with the stores were all captured in our harbor 
and destroyed or appropriated by the enemy. 

Burgoyne immediately moved on to this place with the main body of 
his army. He lay here two or three weeks constructing a road through 
to Fort Ann,f arranging baggage trains, advancing his heavy artillery, 
i&c, in preparation for moving on to Fort Edward. During his stay 
Burgoyne and his staff" were entertained by Skeene at his own house, 
and the tents of his bannered host, thus far triumphant, whitened the 
spot where we now so peacefully worship, spreading over the entire 
eminence from Church street west to the base of the mountain. 

Skeene being well acquainted with the country was sent out from Fort 
Edward with the detachment to Bennington and was in the battle at 
that place. I have been told by one who was there, that being person- 
ally known to many of the Americans, they made a great effort to cap- 
ture him alive, though with no design of mercy. :j: The capture of 
Burguoyne at Schuylcrville thoroughly crushed the power of the English 

* The fleet of Arnold on Lake Champlain when largest consisted of three 
Schooners, two Sloops, three Galleys and eight Bateaux, carrying in all 70 
guns. With this he had a tierce encounter with the British in considerably lar- 
ger force, under Valcour Island a little above Plattsburgh. 

f By the order of Schuyler the bridges south of this place had all been torn up 
and forest trees felled across the route the whole distance to Fort Ann to impede 
the enemy's progre^^s. 

Jit is said that to effect their object they shot four horses from under him, but 
mounting a fifth he made his escape, though the horse that bore him off soon 
died of his wounds. 



and their adherents in this quarter. A detachment ot" Uie Auioricali 
forces was stationed at the liead of Lake George whose scouts kef)t a 
regular watch over this place, but I am not aware that it was the scene of 
any important incident from this period to the close of the war. Skeene 
Was obliged to return to England and his house was burnt, it is said, 
by his own direction to prevent its passing into the hands of the disloyal 
and rebellious Americans.* 

His lands were confiscated and sold by the State. The purchasers 
were John Williams of Salem, in this county, Joseph Stringham and 
John Murray. The two latter subsequently transferred their title ta 
Gen. Williams, — Mr. Stringham in 1802, and Mr. Murray in 1803. 

In 1788 the town of Whitehall was organized in the county that four 
years betbre had received the name of the immortal leader of our revo- 
lutionary struggle. There is one resident of our village who has been 
here since 1790. f He thinks the mimber of houses at that time did 
not exceed 8 — four having been added in the thirteen years preceding. 
In 1812 this place again became the scene of military operations. The 
block house within the lines of the old fort was furnished with artillery 
and garrisoned for the defence of the place, and barracks were erected 
on the brow of the hill west of church street, portions of which are still 
standing. After the battle of Plattsburgh, September 11, 1814, the 
naval armament of the lake, with the vessels captured from the british 
in that engagement were anchored in our harbor. It Avas at that period 
the entrenchments and magazine were constructed, the remains of 
which are still seen on the island a few hundred yards north of the vil- 
lage.:}: The remains of both fleets which thundered defiance and 
launched destruction at each other with such fury off Cumberland head 
now repose quietly together and mingle their decaying fragments in the 
lake a short distance below. 

The growth of the village for several years appears to have been in- 
considerable. In 1816 the building now occupied by T. Vaughn was 
erected with a brick front. || There was not at that time a brick build- 
ing in the place. In 1818 there were two. The first Steamboat on 
the lake was launched in 1809. The canal was completed through to 



* Would it be very unreasonable to suppose it was done by Americans in 
commemoration of the service it had rendered their foes ? 

fGideon Taft, Esq. 
jNear Cook's Steam Mill. 
||By Capt. Arch'd Smith. 



I'oit i'l(l\V;iiil in iIk' :intmi''i (if I'^l!) and Weill into o|(eia(i(»ii tlu- l(ill<t\V- 
ing s|tring. In !-<..'(• the cliiiik'i was obtained under which our AillagC 
is organized. Since that lifne the growth of the place has been con- 
stant though not rapid. It was not till 1824 that the canal was finished 
through to Troy. In that year the number of houses, stores &c. in 
Whitehall are set down at 70. In 1828 the public water-works were 
constructed — an event well woiiby of being chronicled, not so much for 
its magnitude as its salute ly results. The introduction of pure moun- 
tain water has doubtless done more to promote the health, and lengthen 
the lives of our citizens, than a U the drugs ever administered in the place. 
A charter for the Bank of WhitehaU was obtiined in 1829 but its condi- 
tions not being then met, it was renewed and the bank went into opera* 
tion in 1831. Ou'* Post Ofiice was established not far from 1796.* — 
As early as 1822 the tirst newspaper was issued ii the place. It was 
sustained but a short time. Two or three others were a. .erwa'"ds started 
which failed for want of support. The oldest paper now published in the 
\ illage is the Chronicle, which was established in June 1840. We have 
at the present time two weeklies and one tri- weekly. I have no means 
of ascertaining the population of the village separate i*rom that of the 
town till 1835. It was then not far •••om 1500. In IS 10 it was 2000, 
in 1845 2500. 

I pass now to some events in the history of this congregation. The 
limber for this church edifice was collected by Gen. Williams in 1806. 
It was deposited on the hill two miles east of the villagc,f that being 
then considered the most eligible site in the vicinity for a church. — 
Gen. Williams died before its erection and a tablet to his memory is 
now standing in its west wall. A year or two after his death his widow 
und son Col. John Williams now livi ig in Salem removed the materi- 
als to the spot now occupied as a burying ground on Williams street, 
where it was conipleted and presented to the society with a conditional 
grant of a lot of land !'om which was ultimately realised the sum of 
2000 dollars. The church was taken down in l82{j and reconstructed 
on its present site. It was enlarged in 1838 and the lecture room was 
added in 1842. The house has stood 'om its first erection about 40 



*In some printed docnment this place is named as one of the first three Post 
Offices established in this State. This might have been the case in establish- 
ing a jwst route from New York to Montreal or Q,uobcc whcntliev were all 
British colonies. 

f Just above the present turnpike ^ratc. 



9 

years. It was a gratuity to the society and with it property enough lo 
defray the expense of its removal, enlargement and lecture room. 

In 1810, as nearly as 1 have been aide to ascertain the date, a church 
was organized in this village by the Associate Reformed Presbyterians, 
and Rev. Mr. White was settled as their Pastor. We have no records 
of that church in our possession. It is said to have contained six male 
and ten or twelve female members. Mr. White left in 1812, after 
which there was no stated preaching in the place for six or eight years. 
The Associate Reformed church was finally disbanded, and the present 
church was organized, chiefly from its remaining officers and members, 
on the 18th of Sept. 1819 by Rev. Dr. Blatchford of Lansingburgh. Of 
the remnants of the previous church there were five male and nine female 
members who entered the new organization. There were received at 
the same date by profession two, and by letter two, so that the new 
chunih at its first communion numbered eighteen members, seven of 
whom were males. Of these there remain two females who have nev- 
er changed their relation and are now resident members of the church.* 

Two other females who had been dismissed have since returned 
and are now members of the church, though both, at present, are non- 
residents. Two are members of other churches, and ten are dead. — 
The remaining two were dismissed years since, and of their subse- 
quent history I know nothing. 

We have tables exhibiting the statistics of the Church from year to 
year since its organization, from which I will give a few abstracts, with 
an epitome uf its history as found in the records. For nearly three 
years after its formation, the church was without a pastor. The pulpit 
was supplied a short time by Mr. Peters, now Dr. Peters of Williams- 
town Mass., and Mr. Knox, who I believe subsequently settled at New- 
burgh N. Y. Rev. Ralph Robinson now of New Haven N. Y. 
preached in this place each alternate Sabbath during the year 182].f 
This may be considered the first stated preachijgever enjoyed after 
the removal of Mr. White, the previous supplies having remained at 
moat but a few Sabbaths each. 

During these thi'ee years there were received by profession one, by 



* Eunice Lockwoodand Lucy Smith. 

t In a recent comTiunication Mr. Robinson says, " The Church was very 
Email. At that period they ware just beginning to look up. During the latter 
part of 1821 Mr. Peter J. H. Myers came among tliem and I have reason to 
think that was an important event in their iiistory. His efforts probably con- 
duced much to their growth and prosperity." 



10 

lelter four. The Rev. John R. Coe, the first Pastor of the present 
Chu ch, was installed July 17, 1822. He labored with great accept- 
ance and usefulness till Sept. 1823. On the last day of that month it 
pleased the Head of the Church to remove him from the affections of 
his afflicted charge to his final reward. He died in the 24th year of 
his age. Under his labors there were added to the Church by profes- 
sion 21, by letter 9 — total 30- Up to this period there had been re- 
m )ved by death 0, by dismission 2, leaving on the record the names of 

40 members. 

Rev. John Kennedy, the second Pastor, was installed in September 

1824. He was a native of Ireland, of gentlemanly deportment, and a 
popular speaker. He was dismissed in February 1832, having sus- 
tained the Pastoral relation seven years and five months. During his 
ministry there were received into the Church by profession 102, by let- 
ter 29 — total 130. Of this number 60 were received in 1831, the last 
year of his connection with the Church. There were removed during 
the same period by death, dismission and suspension 31, leaving the to- 
tal number in communion 140. 

Mr. Kennedy was succeeded by Rev. Archibald Fleming, who com' 
menced his minist(>rial labors in the Spring of 1832, and was dismissed 
in February 1837, ijut continued to supply the pulpit till the first of 
May following. Under his labors there were received into the Church 
by profession 32, by letter 32 — total 64. During the same period 
there were removed hy dealh 15, by dismission 47, by suspension 2 — " 
total 64; leaving 146, the same number with which his ministry com- 
menced. I return now to some other statistics connected w^ith the 
early history of the congregation. We have a record of four infant 
baptisms administered by Mr Robinson in 1821, and of 13 adminis- 
tered by Mr. Coe while he was Pastor of the Church. The record of 
Mr. Kennedy on this point is doubtless defective, as it embraces but 
six names — all of one date. 25 received infant baptism at the hands 
of Mr. Fleming. Of maniage ceremonies we have a record of three 
performed by Mr. Coe — of 54 by Mr. Kennedy, and of 44 by Mr, 
Fleming. 

We come now to a period in the annals of the Church of so recent 
date that it can have little historical interest. 

The present Pastor, in frail health and without experience, commenced 
his ministerial labors in this pulpit on the last Sabbath in June 1837, 
and was ordained to the Pastoral oflice the following November. The 
affectionate consideration with which he was received — the subsequent 



11 

» 

favors which have made him so deep a debtor, and the general harmo- 
ny which has characterized the ten years of his ministry now closed, 
■bear witness to the forljearance, the indulgence, and the l\ind Christian 
principle of the Church and congregation. These are gra'ttlu! thoughts 
that it would be pleasing to indulge, but we must return to our statisti- 
cal abstract. Within the time now under review there have been re- 
•ceived into the Church by profession 162, hy letter 90 — total 252. Du- 
ring the same period there have been removed by death 37, by dismis- 
sion 53, by suspe-nsion 6 — total 96. 

I will now add a brief summary. It will be 28 years on the 18th 
of September next since the Church was organized. The whole num- 
ber of members received from the beginning is 499. As nearly as 
•can now be ascertained* the whole number of members that have died 
since the organization of the Church is 68. There have been dismissed 
115, and suspended 9 — total 192. This number deducted from the 
total of admissions would leave our present membership 307. But be- 
sides those thus removed a few individuals at difierent periods have 
left and united with other Churches without a regular dismission, and 
a number have removed from the place without letters and have not 
•been heard from for the last ten years. Both these classes we have 
ceased to reckon as members, so that we now report but 273, and of 
these, 27 do not now reside in the place. f So that the actual number 
of resident members is reduced to 246, l)eing less than one half of the 
whole number received from the beginning, and less by six than have 
been received within the last ten years. The largest accession in any 
one year was in 1838 when 85 were received. The average number 
added for the ten years past is about 25 for each year — the average of 
deaths nearly four, uf dismissions over 5, which, with suspensions, 
make the average removals about ten each year. 

We record during the same period 95 inl'ant baptisms and 93 mar- 
riages, making a total, of which we have a record since the organiza- 
tion of the Church, 143 infant baptisms and 194 marriages. :}: 

W^e now glance at the other religious societies in this village. Of 
these the oldest is the Methodist, a class of whom was first gathered in 
1821 or 1822. It consisted of 1 male and 4 female members, and from 



* In some of our early minutes there is no separate record of deaths and dis-. 
missions. 

t Some of these have changed their residence temporarily, others permanently. 

I * >f the marriages recorded a large number of course are without the limits 
of our own cojiaresjation. 



12 

the time of its formation they were regularly visited by circuit preach- 
ers. Their Church was erected in 1832, since which time a preacher 
has been stationed in the place. Their present menibeiship is but 
little short of 100. The Episcopalians first held regular service here 
in 1834. The Church they now occupy was buih in 1843. Their 
present number of communicants is about 50. They have had preach- 
ing with little intermission for the past 13 years. They first erected a 
Church in 1837, but it subsequently passed out of their hands, and in 
January 1847 was purchased by the Baptists. This last named soci- 
ety was organized in 1840, but has enjoyed little regular preaching till 
within the last year. Their present membership is 22, and their pros- 
pects are deemed encoui aging. 

The place has received either occasional or periodical visits from 
Romish priests for many years. These have become more frequent 
and regular as their adherents have increased. Their Church was erect- 
ed in 1841. Their present membership I am not able to state.* 

The total membership of the Churches in the village, exclusive of 
the Romanists, is not far from 415, probably not quite one sixth of the 
entire population. 

This brief and imperfect sketch may well suggest a few reflections. 

1st. The providence of God seems evidently to be elaborating 
some grand design of which our country is to be the theatre. This is 
illustrated in the history of our own place. But little more than a century 
since, the rude tenant of the primeval forest shot forth his light canoe 
on our waters, and our valleys and mountain sides echoed with the 
twang of his bowstring. Some now among us, in their chilohood, have 
picked up the beads and trinkets which he left as the only mementos 
behind him. The name by which the aborigines called the junction 
of our stream and lake indicates the most important use of which they 
deemed these waters capable. That name was Kah-cho-quah-na and 
signifies a fishing ground. f Now that stream is driving its:]: mills, 



* For several of the above stat3mentsl am indebted to the different clergy- 
men of the place, each of whom kindly furnished some statistics of their re- 
spective Churches. I made enquiry of the Catholic Priest but he declined giv- 
ing any information. I should judge they niiglit liave from 200 to 300 members. 

f Literally, the place where dip fish. 

I There is now a large Foundry and Machine shop — a Flouring and Plaster 
Mill — a Saw Mil! — a Carpet Factory — an establishment for turning Axe 
Helves, Carriage Spokes, &c. — a Pencil Factory, and 2 or 3 Lathes — the ma- 
chinery of all whicii is driven by water taken from the creek in a single flume. 
We have also two Steam Mills with one of which is connected a Sash Factory, 



13 

foundry and nianufactorics, and that lake is agitated by the rushitjg to and 
fro of Steainlwats, and its bosom p; essed with the burden of accumulating 
commerce* giviiijf employment to a growing population, while adjacent 
hill sides feed their Hocks and herds, and the valleys wave with agricul- 
tural products. This is but a miniature of what is transpiring on a 
scale of unparalleled grandeur throughout this vast country. Whither 
these mighty movements tend it is not ours fully to Ibresee, but we are 
bound to mark their progress and note the " signs of the times." How 
else shall we be fitted to fullil our high destiny? No considerate man can 
pause at the point we now occupy and look backward a single century, 
and then gaze on t'le foreshadowed future, without feeling that God has 
laid on the men of this generation, especially in this land, responsibil- 
ities of no ordinary weight. The enginery of Divine Providence is 
working with unprecedented rapidity and power, and every living man 
is loudly called upon to take a stand and exert an influence for the 
good of his race. The destiny of generations to come is in a measure 
placed in the hands of those now living. Let us seek for grace and 
faith to meet our responsibilities and discharge our duties in a 
manner comporting with the age and the country in which we live. 

2d. This narrative illustrates the connexion between prosperity and 
the support of gospel institutions. Vice is a great waster, and the in- 
dividual who plunges into it is almost sure to fail of success in 
Avorldly pursuits. This is not less true of communities, and as the 
Bible and its institutions are the great bulwarks of virtue, they neces- 
sarily tend to promote public order and prosperity, and besides this, the 
blessing of Heaven is indespensable to success, even in the common 
business of lite, and that blessing cannot be expected when the precepts 
of religion are neglected or despised. We accordingly find ia the his- 
tory of oui own place a marked synchronism and correspondence in the 
establishment and progress of Christian churches and the growth and 
prosperity of the village. The same fact is illustrated in thousands of 
other places in our country. Those therefore who intelligently seek the 
public welfare and the advance of general prosperity will not neglect the 
house of worship or withhold support from the institutions of the gospel. 
3d. We cannot fail to see in this sketch much to awaken our grati- 
tude. To what ever point we look in our past history we should see 



* There are in all 9 Steamboats now running on the lake and two others have 
been recently Uunched. The number of sail vessels, that regularly visit our 
harbor is 29. The whole number of boats on the Canal North of the Glen's 
Fails feeder is 450. 



14 

*hc hand of God shaping ovents. In privilpges and blessings the 
present contrasts strongly with the past. We sit down in perfect quie- 
tude and safety without the remotest apprehension of alarm from an 
invading foe. We can have no just conception of the hardships and 
fears and sufferings of our early settlers. For about 1 9 years of the 39 that 
closed with 1783, this was the border ground of nations engaged in 
viororous and destructive wars.* It passed successively into the hands 
of the French, English and Americans, changing masters not less than 
six times in that period, and was constantly exposed to the deprada- 
tions of scouts, savage and civilized, but both barbarous. At a later 
period this very Church was occupied as quarters by an armed soldiery 
gathered for the work of slaughter. f Theee scenes of alarm and horror 
have long passed away and we here quietly worship the Prince of 
Peace with none to molest or make us afraid. Does not this fact call 
iupon us for gratitude ? Again we may well feel grateful for the im- 
proved health of the place. It is said that the mortality of troops 
stationed here during the war of the revolution was proverbially fearful. 
The bones of those who then perished, not in conflict, but by disease, 
have been repeatedly thrown up in making excavations in the north 
"western portion of the village. :j: 

* " In 1744 war was declared between France and England and great prcpar- 
■ations were made on both sides to carry it on with vigor. A similar spirit 
prevailed in their respective colonies in America. The country Nortli of Alba- 
aiy was kept in a continual state of alarm by Indian Warriors, who ranged in 
small parties marking their course by contlao ration and indiscriminate slauohter. 
in April 1748 preliminaries of peace were signed at Aux-la-Chapelle and hos- 
tilities soon after ceased. In 1753 the English and French extended their 
.settlements in *he colonies and each were anxious to secure the most chgible 
situations for trading houses and forts. Mutual complaints of aggression 
were socki followed by open acts of hostility. In 1755 an expedition was 
planned against C'roini Point. In 1756 iXiagara and Crown Point were the 
principal points of attack. In 1757 Fort William Henry on Lake George 
■surrendered to the French. In 1758 Abercrombie with 15.000 men attacked 
Ticondernga. Aft^r a contest of four hours he was comjjelied to return with 
the loss of nearly 200J in killed and wounded. In 1759 Gen. Amherst took 
Ticondernga and proceeded to Crown Point. In 1760 the French made a 
fruitless attempt to recover Quebec." [See Historical Collections of Ntw 
York.] The first aggressive movement of the Americans in 1775 was made on 
this place and Ticonderoga 5 or 6 weeks before the battle of Bunker Hill, 
and peace was proclaimed in 17S3. 

t Militia drafts and volunteers collected to resist Provost when he was moving 
on Plattsburgh in 1814. 

J The reputation ot the place was so bad at the close of the war, as I have 
^een told, that when the lands of Skeene were ottered in the market no com- 
petitor would appear to bid and the whole 29,000 acres were struck off at the 
iirst offer of j£l4 10s. to an agent of the purchasers. 



15 

Even after the place l)egan to assume sonic corninerciul importance 
its jrrowth was much impeded by the unhealthfuhiess of the location : 
but I think for the past ten years the mortality in the place has been less 
than the avera'jfe tlirou:5hout the country. A fact or two already sta'ed 
may illustrate these remarks. During the first 4 years of the existence 
of the Church, Avith an average membership of 38, there were six 
deaths, being equal to one in 27 each year. During the five years of 
Mr. Fleming's ministry, with an average membershij) of 134, there 
were 15 deaths, being equal to one in 45 each year. For the last 10 
years with an average membership of 250 there have been 37 deaths, be- 
ing equal to one in 69 each year. The relative decrease of mortality 
in the Church has certainly been very great and makes a distinct call 
upon us tor gratitude. If the diminution of deaths in the village has 
been at all in the same relative proportion, and I think it has, we 
certainly have strong reason to be grateful for the improved health of 
the place for the past ten years at least.* 

But of all themes for grateful remembrance in this review none lay 
so strong a claim upon us as the rapid growth of moral and religious 
influence. f I have no time now, if I had ability, to sketch the feeble- 
ness, and trembling and many discouragements of those little bands 
that less than 30 years since ventured to rear their public altar for the 
service of the living God. How appropriately may they now set up 
their " Ebenezer, saying, hitherto hath the Lord helped us." The little 
one has become comparatively strong. The grain of mustard seed 
planted in a forbidding soil, has begun to assume the vigor and strength 
of a tree. But mere emotions of gratitude do not cancel the debt 
God's mercy lays us under. We should never forget that obligations 
keep pace with privileges, that we have gilded on the armor and not 
put it off, and that "there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed;" 
that we are called upon to he diligent, to be strong, to quit ourselves like 
men in the conflict against sin. if we would win the immortal prize and 
wear the vfctor's crown at the coming of the Lord Jesus. 



* Since 1834 there has not been what would be properly termed a prevailing 
and falal disease in tlr^ place. It would bn by no means extraordinary if after 
so long an interval " The Angel of Death" should again be allowed to " spread 
his wiiig on the blast." Of the future, it is well that we cannot speak confi- 
dently. 

t A Clergyman who preached in the east part of this town, I think as early 
as 1806 or 1807, once told me that he always dreaded to go down to "the land- 
ing," (t!na th3 connon t^r.n of d3signition for this place.) for he seldom 
parsed through the street without being assailed with jeers and insult. 1 have 



16 



Stallslical Table of the riiiirch from Sep?. 1819 to June 1847. 



> 

D?fe. 


Additions by 


Reiii5v;.ls by 


Tot]! in 


iDi-'nl 


l^esidfit 

Meml-Pis 






I'TOlea*!). 


Letter. 


D'tli. 


Ois'ii. 


Susj,'.., 










1819 


2 


2 








18 






No Pastor. 


1820 


1 


2 








. 






it 


1821 





2 














(( 


1822 


10 


6 














T. R. Coe.* 


1823 


11 


3 














(( 


1824 


■ 7 


3 














J. Kennedy 


1825 


3 


5 














u 


1826 


14 


3 














n 


1827 


1 


3 














it 


1828 





1 














u 


1829 


1 


3 














(( 


1830 


20 


6 














(( 


1831 


55 


5 














it 


Apr. 1,1832 












146 




123 


A. Fleming 


" 1833 


1 


4 


3 


15 




133 


2 


114 


.( 


" 1834 


8 


3 


4 


14 


1 


125 


3 


100 


(( 


" 1835 




7 


5 


7 


1 


119 


6 


101 


(( 


" 1836 


21 


9 


1 


2 




146 


5 


123 


a 


« 1837 


2 


9 


2 


9 




146 






L. Kellogg. 


" 1838 




13 




4 




151 


9 




(( 


" 1839 


72 


13 


4 


3 




229 


3 




(( 


. " 1840 


40 


6 


4 


5 




266 


5 




(( 


Oct. 1,1841 


24 


3 


5 


9 


1 


273 


11 


224 


i( 


" 1842 


1 


9 


7 


5 


1 


270 


22 




(( 


" 1843 


22 


2 




8 


2 


284 


4 




(( 


" 1844 




21 


6 


2 




277 


11 


254 


i( 


" 1845 


3 


9 


6 


7 


1 


275 


10 




(( 


Apr. 1,1846 




2 


3 


3 




270 


6 




(( 


" 1847 




4 


1 


4 




269 


14 


246 " 



passed the same street almost daily for 10 years and have uniformly been treated 
with a deference, to which as -a man I had no claim — a deference bestowed for 
the same reason that once called forth jibes and sneers — namely, that I was a 
tninister of the gospel. » 

* I have placed the names of the successive Pastors opposite the year within 
«sfeidi.they were settled. 



^ 



n/^^ 



y< 



x=;>^a 




A SKETCH 



HISTORY OF WHITEHALL 



CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS. 



A DISCOURSE 



> •■ :- 



DELIVERED ON THE 27tu OF JUNE, 1847. 



By Rev. liCwis Kellogg. 



Being 1"he tenth anniversary of his ministry in the place. 



a 



WHITEHALL : 

S. IJ. FAIRMAN, PRINTER, CHRONICLE OFFICE. 

1847. 




-■'-^^ 






^t. 



6WJ.'-s- 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




014 205 881 9 



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jlifilii;: 






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r _ 

w ™ 


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